A Rough Start: Saying Goodbye and Setting Sail

After kicking off the season out west, one crew member decides it’s time to head home to be with his family. With his gear packed, he steps off the Time Bandit, leaving Jonah and Mandy to take the lead.
“You got this,” he tells them, though the challenges ahead remain unpredictable.

Mechanical Trouble on the Western Grounds

Over 300 miles from Dutch Harbor, the crew battles early setbacks. Hydraulic hoses on the stiff arms come loose, forcing the men to crawl dangerously close to the rail to secure them.

A sudden slip nearly sends a deckhand overboard:
“Watch out! Get off the rail!”
It’s a close call—but they manage to tape the hoses and keep fishing.

Northwestern Pushes Through Brutal Weather

On the Northwestern, Sig is relieved to finally be back on solid ground—but the weather gives no breaks. With 20-foot seas and a spread across multiple depths, time is money.
Blank pots begin surfacing, raising stress levels across the deck.

“We’re going to have to move… that’s all there is to it.”

Tension Rises as Blank Pots Keep Coming

The crew fights through pounding waves and low morale. Every empty pot tightens the pressure, forcing a major relocation of the gear.

“Just hang in there. I know it’s a lot.”

A Dangerous Injury in the Bait Bin

In the midst of chaos, disaster strikes.

A deckhand—Clark—accidentally drives a fish hook (a “Vicki”) straight through his hand while cutting bait.
His index finger becomes immobile. Blood pours down as he tries to wipe it clean.

But Sig intervenes:
“A bunch of paper towels is not sanitary. We’ve got to get it dressed properly.”

Risk of infection is high—especially fish poisoning, a serious threat at sea.

A Captain’s Dilemma: Family vs. Fishing

As antibiotics come out and tension grows, Sig faces a painful decision. Clark isn’t just a crewman—he’s Sig’s son-in-law.

“He wants to stick it out… but infection worries me more than anything.”

The wrong choice could cripple Clark permanently—or force the boat back into port.

Calling for Backup

Sig reaches out to Captain John for advice. Clark explains the accident:

“Just one of those stupid mistakes.”

The crew prepares to run hard toward town to get Clark the medical care he needs.

Even in Crisis, A Moment of Humor

Despite the stress, a bit of Northwestern humor slips through when the captain reveals:

“I’m up here with no pants ’cause you weren’t here… Captain No Pants!”

A rare laugh breaks the tension as the crew braces for the next challenge.